Cleveland Sports Forum

In my mind Kenny should go into the HOF.

Period.

The HOF should not depend on how you got along with the media. If the writers can't get by that, they should resign from the committee.

There were 569 ballots.

Notes: Each voting cycle, qualified members of the BBWAA name no more than 10 eligible players whom they consider worthy of Hall of Fame honors. To be enshrined, a player must be named on at least 75% of the voters' ballots. Currently, players are removed from the ballot if they are named on fewer than 5% of ballots or have been on the ballot 15 times without election.

Kenny got 18 votes.

That system is flawed. Depends on who else is eligible the same year as you are.

You can name 0 to 10 players on your ballot. Shouldn't matter who else is eligible.
Can't imagine anybody listing 10 players.

loufla wrote:In my mind Kenny should go into the HOF.

Period.

I am with you loudly.

ABOUT THE TRIBE . . .

1. Jason Giambi has been impressive in batting practice. The Tribe likes his presence in the clubhouse and ability to mentor young players. They are giving serious thought to keeping the 42-year-old part-time DH. Of course, he has to show he can still connect on a 94-mph fastball. Most older guys can hit breaking balls, but struggle with the hard stuff.

2. Giambi is on a minor-league deal worth $750,000 -- if he makes the team. He was paid $1 million in each of the past two seasons with Colorado, where he was mostly a pinch hitter. Giambi hit .225 (20-for-89, .675 OPS) with one homer and eight RBI last season. In 2011, he batted .260 (.958 OPS) with 13 homers and 32 RBI in 131 at-bats. The Indians want to see if he can swing the bat as he did in 2011.

3. Manager Terry Francona called Giambi, "The veteran of veterans." Francona is a big reason Giambi is in camp.

4. The new flexibility on the roster allows the Tribe to consider keeping Giambi. They will have Lou Marson at backup catcher -- unless Yan Gomes wins the job. Mike Aviles can play all the infield spots, and right or left field. At the moment, it seems either Ben Francisco or Ryan Raburn will make the team as a backup outfielder -- Raburn also can play the infield, mostly second base.

5. The last spot among the regulars may come down to Giambi or Chris McGuiness. A 24-year-old first baseman, McGuiness, 24, was a Rule 5 pick from the Rangers, which means if he's not on the Tribe's Opening Day roster, he must be offered back to the Rangers for $25,000 -- and Texas likely would grab him. McGuiness, a left-handed hitting first baseman, was the MVP of the Arizona Fall League and hit .268 (.840 OPS) with 23 homers in the Class AA Texas League in 2012.

6. There are several reasons why the Tribe thinks it can keep a strict DH this season. They believe Aviles is a strong backup at shortstop. They didn't trust Jason Donald there last season. In the outfield, they'll start Michael Brantley, Michael Bourn and Drew Stubbs -- all can play center field. They have two players who can handle first base -- Mark Reynolds and Nick Swisher . Reynolds also can play some third base.

7. Among the former big names trying to make the team, Scott Kazmir has been more impressive in his bullpen sessions than Daisuke Matsuzaka. Dice-K will start today, and that is obviously more important than what he does in bullpen sessions.

8. Asdrubal Cabrera has lost at least 15 pounds since last season, and is moving much better at shortstop. Not sure if trade rumors inspired him, but he clearly made a commitment to being in better shape.

9. Carlos Santana will play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, giving Marson and Gomes a lot of time at catcher in Cactus League games. Gomes, who batted .328 (.938 OPS) with 13 homers for Class AAA Las Vegas in 2012, came to the Tribe from Toronto along with Aviles in the Esmil Rogers deal. Gomes also can play first and third base.

10. With Cabrera playing for Venezuela and Aviles playing for Puerto Rico in the WBC, Juan Diaz will be the regular shortstop for a few weeks. Diaz turned 24 in December. He batted .266 (.743 OPS) at Class AAA Columbus last season. The Indians believe he has a major-league glove, and he is one of the reasons they considered trading Cabrera.

11. Trevor Bauer's bullpen sessions have been fun to watch, according to some in Goodyear. He's in super shape, throwing hard. One problem is that he's so fired up, he's had a few wild spells -- same thing that happened in his brief time with the Diamondbacks last season. He has one of the best arms in camp. The Indians believe he was rushed to the majors last season -- it was only his second pro year -- and don't want to repeat that mistake.

12. Francona has had multiple knee surgeries, and blood clots in 2004. But the manager seems in great shape, throws batting practice a few times a week and hits grounders to infielders. Health concerns were part of the reason Francona sat out last season after being fired by Boston in 2011. Health does not seem to be an issue right now.

13. I will be giving a faith talk Tuesday at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph's Church on 12700 Pearl Rd. in Strongsville. It's free and open to the public.

14. The Wahoo Club Luncheon will feature Ron Kittle- 1983 A.L. Rookie of the Year. It will be held at 11 a.m. on March 16, 2013 at the Winking Lizard Party Center in Bedford Hts. Call Bob Rosen at 440-724-8350 or go to http://www.wahooclub.com/ for more information.

J.R. wrote:

seagull wrote:Poor Kenny

He was a whiner when he played and he's still a whiner.

I agree, but I also think he should have received more than 5% of the votes.

He was one of the more exciting players the Indians have ever had. He made things happen.

Pretty well known that he was a pain in the ass. The type that would probably suggest that he belonged in the Hall of Fame.

Not shocking.......

Indians' home opener vs. Yankees sells out in 6 minutes

View the Slideshow >>
(Gallery by Scott Shaw, The Plain Dealer)
By Joey Morona, cleveland.com
on February 25, 2013 at 11:31 AM, updated February 25, 2013 at 12:29 PM



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Fans say 'Go Tribe' as Cleveland Indians opening day sells out
A line formed outside Progressive Field this morning as Cleveland Indians single-game tickets went on sale. The home opener sold out in six minutes, one of the fastest sellouts in Tribe history.
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The Indians' home opener against the Yankees sold out in six minutes after tickets went on sale this morning.

It was one of the fastest sellouts in Indians history, according to a team release.

Excitement around the 2013 team is at its highest level in several years, with the additions of outfielders Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher, manager Terry Francona and others.

Fans without opening day tickets can still attend the game by purchasing full-season ticket packages. Tickets for all other individual games are on sale now at Indians.com.

The Tribe plays the Yankees in the home opener at Progressive Field on Monday, April 8 at 4:05 p.m. The club opens the season on the road at Toronto on April 2.

And back when I was not that young I had to line up the Saturday after Thanksgiving to buy single game tickets but there'd be nothing available in July or August.

No mention of fried chicken and beer...yet.

Raburn impresses with his early home runs: Cleveland Indians Insider

By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer
on February 24, 2013 at 9:46 PM, updated February 24, 2013 at 11:01 PM


PHOENIX -- Sunday morning the Indians locker room didn't sound like a locker room, it sounded like a nightclub.

Music was playing. The place was packed and everybody was talking at once. In the middle of all that, Nick Swisher was walking around wearing Ryan Raburn's jersey.

"I'm going to hit some bombs," said Swisher.

In his first three at-bats of the spring, Raburn hit three homers. The long-ball streak ended Sunday afternoon as Raburn settled for a single in two at-bats in the Indians' 7-4 victory over Milwaukee.

As for Swisher wearing his jersey, Raburn laughed and said, "That's all right as long as we can trade contracts."

Raburn, hitting .800 (4-for-5) this spring, is in camp as a spring-training invitee on a minor league deal. In December, Swisher signed the biggest free agent contract in team history. It runs four years and is worth $56 million.

Manager Terry Francona cautioned not to get overly excited about hot starts or cold starts by players this early in camp. But he added that players in Raburn's position are "playing for their baseball lives and you have to respect that."

As for the locker room festivities, Francona added to the fun by posting a picture of himself on a bulletin board wearing an oversized Indians' cap and a goofy grin with the caption: "I demand respect."

"I had it taken at photo day and hung it up," said Francona on Sunday morning. "If GQ [magazine] doesn't come calling now, it never will."

Relay work: In Saturday's 13-10 victory over the Reds, left fielder Tim Fedroff and shortstop Juan Diaz made good relay throws home to catcher Roberto Perez to cut down a run at the plate that would have tied the game, 11-11.

"The ball hopped off the wall nicely and Juan gave me a nice target, which made the throw a little easier for me," said Fedroff. "We worked on relays like that a couple of days ago, but that was the first time I got to do it in a game situation."

Said Francona, "I was very happy with that play and the way we executed it. Diaz has a strong arm, but he kept the ball down."

Francona, in his meeting with Fedroff before the start of spring training, told him that unless he makes the Indians as a starting outfielder, he'll probably open the year in the minors because he wants him to continue to play every day. That hasn't stopped Fedroff from hitting .286 (2-for-7) in the first four games of the Cactus League season.

Last year Fedroff split time between left and center field. Francona said he's going to play both positions this spring.

Fedroff started last season at Class AA Akron before being promoted to Columbus. He hit a combined .316 (148-for-468) with 79 runs, 23 doubles, 10 triples, 12 homers and 54 RBI in 123 games.

"Last year I was able to eliminate the length of some of the slumps I had," said Fedroff. "I was more consistent. I think that has to do a lot with preparation and the routines I've been able to develop the last couple of years."

Testing, testing: Joe Smith, recovering from a strained left oblique/abdominal injury, threw 30 pitches off the mound Saturday and felt good on Sunday. His next step will be to throw a bullpen session before facing hitters.

Finally: The Indians, playing split-squad games against the Brewers and Reds on Sunday, dipped into their minor league system to fill the late innings. Infield prospects Francisco Lindor and Tony Wolters were late-inning replacements against Milwaukee. Wolters scored a run on a wild pitch.

Indians chatter


Here's a look at the highlights and lowlights from the Indians' Cactus League split squad games against the Reds and Brewers on Sunday.


Scores: Indians 3, Reds 0, at Goodyear Ballpark; Indians 7, Brewers 4, at Maryvale Baseball Park.

Attendance: 3,278 at Goodyear; 2,347 at Maryvale.

Indians' record: 4-0.

Start me up: Zach McAllister and Daisuke Matsuzaka combined for four scoreless innings against the Reds; Carlos Carrasco struggled, allowing four runs on four hits in one inning against Milwaukee.

In the pen: Five relievers followed McAllister and Matsuzaka to complete a one-hitter against the Reds with Preston Guilmet earning the save; Nick Hagadone pitched the ninth against Milwaukee to earn the save.

Hit men: Omir Santos' two-run double in the seventh was the game-winner against the Reds; Carlos Santana and Ezequiel Carrera homered against Milwaukee.

Double your pleasure: Mark Reynolds doubled twice against the Reds; Carrera went 2-for-2 against the Brewers.

PHOENIX -- Returns never begin under the spotlight at Carnegie Hall. They start with a thought, a single step, usually doused in sweat.

On a cold and windy Sunday afternoon at Maryvale Baseball Park, Carlos Carrasco, Scott Kazmir and Trevor Bauer, competing for the same job in the rotation, took the next step in their comebacks in the Indians' 7-4 Cactus League victory over Milwaukee.

Carrasco, who missed the 2012 season because of Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, pitched one nervous inning in his first game in a big league uniform since his elbow needed to be rebuilt following an Aug. 3, 2011 start in Boston. He faced nine batters in the first, allowing four runs on four hits.

Kazmir followed Carrasco with two scoreless innings. The left-hander's smooth delivery hid the fact that this was his first big-league outing of any kind since 2011 when he was released by the Angels. He spent last season pitching independent ball for the Sugarland Skeeters in the Atlantic League.

Bauer followed Kazmir with two scoreless innings of his own. The hill Bauer is climbing is not as steep as Carrasco and Kazmir's, but it is a hill nonetheless. Arizona basically gave him away this winter after making him the third pick in the country in 2011.

Why would they do something like that? Let's just say some of his pitching quirks rubbed people the wrong way. Quirks as in the warmup pitch he throws before every inning where he runs up the backside of the mound and unleashes a fastball with every fiber of his body behind it.

"You can call it a crow hop, run and throw, Happy Gilmour . . . I don't know. Call it what you want," said Bauer. "It puts me in the mindset of being aggressive and attacking and explosive."

Catcher Carlos Santana had some problems handling the Happy Gilmour in the fourth inning because of a bit of miscommunication with Bauer. In the fifth, he was ready for it.

Said manager Terry Francona, "I think it shows he has a good arm. If I did that, I think my arm would fall off. As long as he doesn't do it when he's pitching we're OK."

Carrasco didn't get a lot of help from his defense, which made two errors in the first inning. He didn't get hit really hard either. The four Brewer hits were all ground-ball singles. But he was nervous.

"It was a little weird being my first time," said Carrasco. "I was trying to find the strike zone and everything was running outside."

The best thing about the start is that Carrasco's elbow didn't hurt.

"It looked like Carlos just didn't let the ball go," said Francona. "Mickey [Callaway, pitching coach] took a trip to the mound and he started letting it go a little better. The ball didn't come out of his hand like we've seen in his bullpens.

"Hopefully as he gets back into competition, we'll see that."

Kazmir, who allowed one hit and struck out one, says he feels better than he did in 2007 when he won 13 games and struck out 239 batters in 206 innings for Tampa Bay. He says his time away from the big leagues helped clear his head and rediscover his mechanics.

The Skeeters, managed by former big league third baseman Gary Gaetti, proved to be Kazmir's test tube. Kazmir lives in Cypress, Texas, only a 15-minute drive from where the Skeeters play.

"It was a comfort factor for me," said Kazmir, who went 3-6 in 14 starts for the Skeeters. "It was right by the house. I knew there were going to be bumps along the way, so why not do it in a setting like that.

"Gary Gaetti reached out to me and told me about the situation. He said I'd be able to see hitters and get my feet wet again after being out of baseball for so long. In every single start, I kind of picked up the pieces."

Bauer, wild in his bullpen sessions, allowed two hits, struck out two and earned the win.

"I had no expectations," he said. "This was the first time out and I just said, 'Please let this go over the plate.' My team played well behind me and that was good to see."

When told that he was competing with Carrasco and Kazmir for a spot in the rotation, Bauer said, "That's news to me. They just said, 'Hey, you're going to go pitch two innings and I said cool.' "

PHOENIX -- The Indians are taking a close look at Ezequiel Carrera this spring in the competition for the fourth outfielder role. Given that Carrera is out of Minor League options, Cleveland essentially has two choices: place him on the active roster or risk losing him in waivers.

"We don't doubt for one second that we'd lose him," Indians manager Terry Francona said.

That belief is based on the versatility that Carrera can offer Cleveland or a team that attempts to claim the outfielder off the waiver wire. Carrera has the ability to play all three outfield positions and he can offer a blend of speed and consistent contact off the bench.

The Indians have their projected starting outfield set with left fielder Michael Brantley, centert fielder Michael Bourn and right fielder Drew Stubbs. Consider all three starters can handle center field, Cleveland can potentially go with a fourth outfielder only capable of playing the corner spots.

A few candidates able to handle the corners include Ryan Raburn, Ben Francisco, Yan Gomes, Chris McGuiness and Jeremy Hermida.

The fact that the 25-year-old Carrera is out of options adds a wrinkle to the situation.

"It's an important answer we have to find out this spring," Francona said. "He's potentially a very good fit on our ballclub, and we need to find out. If not, we'll lose him."

If the Indians do not place Carrera on their Opening Day roster, the ballclub could explore trading him to another team at the end of the spring.

Carrera went 0-for-2 in Monday's game against the A's at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, but the outfielder did belt a solo home run in Sunday's 7-4 victory over the Brewers.

Last season, Carrera hit .272 with two home runs, eight stolen bases, 11 RBIs and 20 runs scored in 48 games for Cleveland. With Triple-A Columbus last year, he hit .294 with six homers, 26 stolen bases, 31 extra-base hits, 42 RBIs and 65 runs across 97 games for the Clippers.

Over the winter, Carrera hit .286 with seven extra-base hits, eight stolen bases, eight RBIs and 22 runs scored in 30 games with Magallanes in the Venezuelan Winter League.

"There's a lot to like there," Francona said.